Girls in Science Classrooms
Research shows that boys are five times more likely to receive attention from teachers than girls. Boys are eight times more likely to call out in class than girls, and seem to like more competition, while girls learn best through cooperation. Decisions about the grade in which different concepts are introduced are based on the development patterns of boys. Boys are also more likely to receive science kits, microscopes, and telescopes from parents than girls are.
Why does this happen? In general, girls prefer to think over a question before answering, and hesitate to dominate the class by calling out. Criticism and wrong answers are often taken as personal attacks on intelligence, and risking what is seen as public humiliation isn't worth the price when their male counterparts will answer instead. Even if a girl is willing to answer a question and raises her hand, the teacher may ignore her altogether, or admonish rowdy boys for calling out rather than listening to the girl's answer. Along with boys being the majority in higher level science classes, and teachers often unintentionally disregarding female students, girls become discouraged and frustrated. The natural reaction is to withdraw from the class discussions and activities, which leads to a lack of experience and knowledge that only causes the cycle to begin again.
How can you tell if there is sex bias in the classroom? Take our quiz and find out.
Unfortunately, it takes a lot more than a short quiz to really evaluate whether or not there is a problem. There are several things, however, that a teacher can do to minimize bias and help both male and female students achieve.
Arrange classrooms so that there is more cooperative learning and less competition.
Most importantly, nonsexist teaching should be a necessary and continual part of daily schooling for it to succeed in breaking down stereotypes. If there is a separate lesson or unit on changing roles of women and men, the message is that while it is an interesting fact, it is only a temporary diversion and not an important issue. The only way to combat bias is to make the equality of men and women a commonplace theme that is present in the students' everyday lives. It must be part of their reality if they are to take it outside of that class, and carry it with them as they grow up.
Parents can also help their daughters feel confident about themselves and their abilities and find success in school by doing the following.
No matter what sort of environment girls and boys are exposed to at school, it must be reinforced at home for it to become part of their daily lives. Teaching gender equity should be a partnership between the teachers and parents. The former should communicate with the latter so that the lessons learned in school can be brought into the home. Freely discussing controversial issues and encouraging both boys and girls to ask questions will benefit everyone, and not sound to the child like preaching.
